Jewish Values Not on the Agenda for the 2011 Values Voter Summit

Listed in: Other Domestic Policy, NJDC News, Press Releases

Summit Schedule Featuring GOP Presidential Candidates to Conflict Yet Again with the Jewish High Holidays

WASHINGTON, DC- The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) today criticized the 2011 Values Voter Summit in part because—for the third consecutive year*—the conservative conference coincides with the Jewish High Holidays. The 2011 Values Voter Summit, which will feature a majority of the Republican presidential candidates, perfectly symbolizes how the modern conservative movement does not include Jewish values under its umbrella. This year, the conference occurs on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. NJDC President and CEO David A. Harris said:

“Conservatives have been aggressively targeting Jews recently by touting their pro-Israel positions. But what they continually fail to understand is that pro-Israel rhetoric only goes so far. Polling consistently shows that the sweeping majority of American Jews abhor the conservative domestic policy positions— particularly on social issues—that will be discussed this weekend. With this in mind, American conservatives should explain how they intend to make Jews feel welcome in a political movement that advances an agenda opposed by most in the Jewish community and continually holds its flagship conference on the Jewish High Holidays.

“This year’s conference falls on Yom Kippur—the holiest day of the year—and will likely have significant ramifications for the 2012 Republican presidential ticket. Such a repeated scheduling conflict further symbolizes that the conservative movement and the Republican Party do not represent the values of most American Jews. Quite simply, this weekend’s confab is a textbook example of why Jews remain solidly committed to the Democratic Party and its positions.”

Republican presidential candidates attending this year’s summit include:

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
Texas Governor Rick Perry
Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN)
Herman Cain
Former Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)

Other Republican elected officials speaking this weekend include:

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA)
Senators Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Representatives Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Mike Pompeo (K-KS), Steve King (R-IA), and Jim Jordan (R-OH)
Republican Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli

Leading conservative media personalities Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity are also scheduled to speak.

In addition, the 2011 Values Voter Summit has many breakout sessions scheduled for the weekend that conflict with the sensibilities of most Jewish voters. While Republicans on Capitol Hill pay lip service to a supposed jobs agenda, this conservative summit focuses on such hot-button social issues as “How the Welfare State Erodes the Family,” “Exposing and Defunding Planned Parenthood, America’s Abortion Giant,” and “Straight Talk on Gay ‘Marriage’” [Values Voter Summit]— conflicting with the positions of the vast majority of American Jews.

With such an extreme lineup, most Jews would be unlikely to attend. But the scheduling of the event—which makes it impossible for any Jew observing Yom Kippur to attend— takes this year’s conference to new heights in repelling Jews from the conservative movement.

The 2011 Values Voter Summit’s content, in addition to its scheduling, contains nearly all of the elements that remind most Jews that today’s conservative movement and its Republican leaders do not reflect their values. Events such as this are a prime example of why the Democratic Party remains the historic and continued political home for the sweeping majority of American Jews.

*In 2010, the Values Voter Summit was held September 16-19—conflicting with Yom Kippur, which fell on September 17-18.

In 2009, the Values Voter Summit was held September 18-20—conflicting with Rosh Hashanah, which fell on September 18-20.